ATHLETIC JERSEY WITH CUT-RESISTANT PORTION

Abstract

An athletic jersey includes a torso portion having a neck opening, a left arm opening, a right arm opening, and a lower body opening and left and right sleeves attached to the torso portion at the left and right arm openings. The torso portion, left sleeve, and right sleeve comprise a jersey fabric material. The athletic jersey also includes wrist cuff portions at the end of each sleeve, wherein each of the wrist cuff portions includes an inner layer comprising a cut-resistant fabric material, an outer layer comprising a flexible fabric material, and an elastic band configured to secure each of the wrist cuff portions to a wearer. The wrist cuff portions are configured such that when the wearer is wearing the athletic jersey, the outer layer is in contact with the wearer's wrist.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an article of clothing with a cut-resistant portion. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to an athletic jersey with a wrist cuff portion that has a cut-resistant layer of material.

2. Background

Exercise is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and individual well-being. A common way for individuals to exercise is to participate in athletic activities, such as, for example, sports and training programs. A session of athletic activity may include, for example, a training session or a competitive session such as, for example, a cycling race or hockey game. When participating in athletic activities in a competitive or collaborative environment, athletes are exposed to various risks of harm or injury. Accordingly, athletic gear and clothing is often designed to protect athletes and reduce exposure to harm. Some harms, however, including cuts, scrapes, scratches, and other abrasive injuries, present a risk to all parts of an athlete's body. In hockey, for example, a skate blade poses a threat to all exposed body parts of the participants, including body parts that may only be covered by an athletic jersey or other athletic clothing. Therefore, there is a continuing need for athletic gear and clothing that is cut-resistant.

At the same time, athletic gear and clothing must be comfortable and designed to provide the athlete full range of motion and the ability to perform well during the athletic competition. Athletic gear and clothing is also often intended to indicate a team for which an athlete competes. Thus, each article of athletic gear and clothing must be integrated with an entire uniform without compromising its purposes of providing protection and comfort. Therefore, a continuing need exists for innovations in providing athletic gear and clothing that protects athletes from exposure to harm, provides comfort, and can be integrated into the athlete's uniform.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments are directed towards an athletic jersey including a torso portion, left and right sleeves, and left and right wrist cuff portions. The torso portion includes a neck opening, a left arm opening, a right arm opening, and a lower body opening. The left sleeve is attached to the torso portion at the left arm opening and the right sleeve is attached to the torso portion at the right arm opening. The torso portion and the left and right sleeves are constructed of a jersey fabric material. The left and right wrist cuff portions are attached at an end of the left and right sleeves opposite the end attached to the torso portion. The wrist cuff portions include an inner layer of a cut-resistant fabric material, an outer layer of a flexible fabric material, and an elastic band configured to secure each of the wrist cuff portions to a wearer. The wrist cuff portions are configured such that when the wearer is wearing the athletic jersey, the outer layer is in contact with the wearer's wrist.

In some embodiments, the inner layer is an extension of an interior of the left and right sleeves. In some embodiments the outer layer is an extension of an exterior of the left and right sleeves.

In some embodiments, each of the wrist cuff portions includes an innermost layer of the flexible fabric material.

In some embodiments, the athletic jersey is a hockey jersey.

In some embodiments, the cut-resistant fabric material includes High Modulus Polyethylene (HMPE) fiber. In some embodiments, the flexible fabric material is a stretch knit fabric.

In some embodiments, the wrist cuff portions includes a finished seam.

In some embodiments, the elastic band is located on an end of each of the wrist cuff portions that is attached to each of the sleeves. In some embodiments, the elastic band is located on an end of each of the wrist cuff portions that is opposite an end that is attached to each of the sleeves.

In some embodiments, the wrist cuff portions include a hem. In some embodiments, the wrist cuff portions include a bendback hem with flatlock stitching.

In some embodiments, the wrist cuff portions completely surround the wrist.

In some embodiments, the torso portion, the left sleeve, and the right sleeve comprise a unitary garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers, letters, or renderings indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an athletic jersey according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a wrist cuff portion according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of layers of a wrist cuff portion according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of layers of a wrist cuff portion according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of a wrist cuff portion on a wearer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a wrist cuff portion on a wearer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a sock according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a back view of a sock according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a sock according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an exemplary embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The term “invention” or “present invention” as used herein is a non-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompasses all possible embodiments as described in the application.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended for use by athletes to provide protection from cuts, scrapes, and other abrasive injuries while participating in athletic activities and minimizing skin irritation and other discomfort that could be caused by cut-resistant materials. In some embodiments, the athletic gear comprises an athletic jersey that is part of a team uniform. The athletic jersey, in some embodiments, has a wrist cuff portion provided on the end of its sleeves constructed of more than one layer of material. Various layers are constructed of different materials with unique characteristics.

For example, according to some embodiments, the wrist cuff portion provides both a cut-resistant material as well as a flexible fabric material. In some embodiments, the flexible fabric material is provided in a layer that comes in contact with the wearer's wrist when the athletic jersey is worn to minimize discomfort for the wearer. Some embodiments provide the cut-resistant material as a separate layer of the wrist cuff portion to provide protection from abrasive injuries. Such a construction is particularly useful for hockey players. In the fast-paced game of hockey, skate blades present a great risk of cutting or slicing players' wrists. The wrist cuff portion according to embodiments of the present invention may help reduce the risk of injury.

Athletic jersey 10, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1, is an embodiment of the cut-resistant athletic gear. In some embodiments, athletic jersey 10 includes a torso portion 20, a left sleeve 30, and a right sleeve 40. Torso portion 20, left sleeve 30, and right sleeve 40 may comprise a unitary garment. Alternatively, left sleeve 30 and right sleeve 40 may be separate pieces of material attached at torso portion 20 by sewing, knitting, bonding, adhesive, or other conventional means for joining two pieces of fabric.

Athletic jersey 10, in some embodiments, is constructed from a jersey fabric material 12. Jersey fabric material 12 may be an air-knit polyester material, a mesh material, a double-knit polyester material, a synthetic microfiber material, or any other suitable jersey fabric material. In some embodiments, athletic jersey 10 has various portions each utilizing one or more of the above-listed jersey materials. Additionally, other non-jersey fabric materials may also be used for athletic jersey 10.

In some embodiments, athletic jersey 10 may be a hockey jersey. In other embodiments, athletic jersey may be a cycling jersey. In yet other embodiments, athletic jersey may be a fencing jacket. It is also anticipated that athletic jersey may be used in other athletic activities.

Torso portion 20 may include a neck opening 22, a lower body opening 24, a left arm opening 26, and a right arm opening 28. In some embodiments, torso portion 20 is configured to fit only around a wearer's torso. In other embodiments, torso portion is configured to also fit around other athletic gear, such as hockey pads. Torso portion 20 may be of varying lengths from neck opening 22 to lower body opening 24 to fit various sizes of wearers and to accommodate various styles. For example, in some embodiments, neck opening 22 fits comfortably around the wearer's neck, and the torso portion 20 extends to lower body opening 24 fitting comfortably around the wearer's waist. In other embodiments, torso portion 20 extends to lower body opening 24 fitting comfortably around the wearer's hips or thighs.

Left arm opening 26 is configured so that a wearer's hand and arm can pass through into left sleeve 30. In some embodiments, the location for left arm opening 26 when athletic jersey 10 is worn approximates the wearer's left shoulder. Similarly, right arm opening 28 is configured so that a wearer's hand and arm can pass through into right sleeve 40. In some embodiments, the location for right arm opening 28 when athletic jersey 10 is worn approximates the wearer's right shoulder.

In some embodiments, left sleeve 30 extends from a torso end 32 to a wrist end 34 and has an interior 36 and an exterior 38. Torso end 32 is the end of left sleeve 30 closest to torso portion 20 and bordering left arm opening 26. When left sleeve 30 is a separate piece of material from torso portion 20, torso end 32 is attached to left arm opening 26 by sewing, knitting, bonding, adhesive, or other conventional means for joining two pieces of fabric. Wrist end 34 approximates a wrist on a wearer. Attached to left sleeve 30 at wrist end 34 is wrist cuff portion 50.

In some embodiments, right sleeve 40 extends from a torso end 42 to a wrist end 44 and has an interior 46 and an exterior 48. Torso end 42 is the end of right sleeve 40 closest to torso portion 20 and bordering right arm opening 28. When right sleeve 40 is a separate piece of material from torso portion 20, torso end 42 is attached to right arm opening 28 by sewing, knitting, bonding, adhesive, or other conventional means for joining two pieces of fabric. Wrist end 44 approximates a wrist on a wearer. Attached to right sleeve 40 at wrist end 44 is wrist cuff portion 50.

Some embodiments of athletic jersey 10 include indicia 18. Indicia 18 may be insignia indicating the team for which the athlete competes. In some embodiments, indicia 18 is a team logo. In other embodiments, indicia 18 may be an organizational logo, a logo for a specific event, or a manufacturer's or designer's logo. Indicia 18 may also be a number, name, or both that identify a player. Indicia 18 may also be a flag representing a country or organization. Any combination of the described indicia 18 may be utilized in athletic jersey 10. These examples of indicia 18 are non-limiting. Moreover, indicia 18 may be located anywhere on the jersey. For example, indicia 18, in some embodiments, is on a front of the torso portion 20, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Indicia 18 may also be located on left sleeve 30, right sleeve 40, on the back of torso portion 20, or on a wrist cuff portion 50.

According to some embodiments, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2, wrist cuff portion 50 is attached at wrist ends 34, 44 of left and right sleeves 30, 40. For purposes of this discussion, only wrist cuff portion 50 on left sleeve 30 will be discussed. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that wrist cuff portion 50 on right sleeve 40 may be similarly provided.

Wrist cuff portion 50 has a sleeve end 60 that is attached to wrist end 34 by sewing, knitting, bonding, adhesive, or other conventional means for joining two pieces of fabric. Wrist cuff portion 50 extends from sleeve end 60 to opposite end 62. In some embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 is between about two and about eight inches in length between sleeve end 60 and opposite end 62. In other embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 is between about three and about five inches in length between sleeve end 60 and opposite end 62. In some embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 is three and a half inches in length between sleeve end 60 and opposite end 62.

Wrist cuff portion 50, in some embodiments, is constructed from a plurality of layers. In some embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 has an inner layer 52 and an outer layer 54. In some embodiments, inner layer 52 is an extension of interior 36 of left sleeve 30. Similarly, in some embodiments, outer layer 54 is an extension of exterior 38 of left sleeve 30.

According to some embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 includes an elastic band 56. Elastic band 56 is configured to conform to the wrist or arm of the wearer and secure wrist cuff portion 50 to the wrist or arm of the wearer (as shown, for example, in FIG. 5). In some embodiments, elastic band 56 is located near sleeve end 60 of wrist cuff portion 50 (not shown). In other embodiments, elastic band 56 is located near opposite end 62. Some embodiments provide elastic band 56 at a hem 66 at opposite end 62. According to some embodiments, hem 66 is a bendback hem with fiatlock stitching. Other types of hems, however, may be used in some embodiments. Further, in some embodiments, there is an elastic band both at sleeve end 60 and at opposite end 62.

In some embodiments, at least one of the layers of wrist cuff portion 50 is a cut-resistant fabric material 14. In some embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 also includes a layer of a flexible fabric material 16. According to some embodiments, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 2-3, inner layer 52 is cut-resistant fabric material 14 and outer layer 54 is flexible fabric material 16. Thus, some embodiments only utilize two layers. Other embodiments utilize three layers, including outer layer 54, inner layer 52, and an innermost layer 58, as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, outer layer 54 is flexible fabric material 16, inner layer 52 is cut-resistant fabric material 14, and innermost layer 58 is flexible fabric material 16. In yet other embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 has more than three layers. Additionally, in some embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 is a single layer wherein the cut-resistant fabric material 14 is knitted into either or both of the jersey fabric material 12 or the flexible fabric material 16.

Cut-resistant fabric material 14 may be any material that provides cut and abrasion resistance. Cut-resistant fabric material 14, in some embodiments, has a tensile strength of up to 3.5 GPa. Cut-resistant fabric material 14, in some embodiments, comprises a high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) fiber. In some embodiments, cut-resistant fabric material 14 comprises Dyneema® diamond fiber technology. In other embodiments, cut-resistant fabric material 14 comprises Honeywell Spectra® fiber. In some embodiments, cut-resistant fabric material 14 comprises a fiber that is forty percent lighter than aramid fibers. In other embodiments, cut-resistant fabric 14 comprises an aramid fiber. These examples of materials and properties for cut-resistant fabric material 14 are non-limiting.

Flexible fabric material 16 may be any material that is flexible enough to conform to a wearer's wrist or arm during use. Flexible fabric material 16, in some embodiments, comprises a stretch knit fabric. The stretch knit fabric may also provide a comfortable feel to the wearer. In one embodiment, flexible fabric material 16 may comprise Lycra®.

In some embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 completely surrounds the wearer's wrist so as to protect both the front and the back of the wearer's wrist. Further, in some embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 includes a finished seam 64 extending from sleeve end 60 to opposite end 62. In other embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 may only partially surround the wearer's wrist. For example, in some embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 only covers the front of the wearer's wrist, thus protecting the radial and ulnar arteries and veins.

Embodiments of athletic jersey 10 described above allow a wearer to protect the wearer's wrist from cuts, scrapes, and other abrasive injuries while maintaining comfort in the wrist area. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, wearer 70 is wearing athletic jersey 10. In some embodiments, wrist cuff portion 50 is configured to fold into left sleeve 30 beginning at wrist end 34. With this configuration, outer layer 54 (not labeled in FIG. 5) is made of flexible fabric material 16 and is in contact with the wearer's wrist 72 from sleeve end 60 inward to opposite end 62 where elastic band 56 (shown as a dotted line in FIG. 5 to indicate it is underneath sleeve 30) secures wrist cuff portion 50 to the wearer. Inner layer 52 (not labeled in FIG. 5) is made of cut-resistant fabric material 14 and is between outer layer 54 and sleeve 30. Accordingly, the outer layer 54 comprising flexible fabric material 16 provides comfort to the wearer's wrist, while inner layer 52 comprising cut-resistant fabric material 14 provides protection from cuts, scrapes, and other abrasive injuries. Moreover, this configuration hides wrist cuff portion 50 underneath left sleeve 30 so that only jersey fabric material 12 is visible.

The configuration of FIG. 5 is further illustrated in FIG. 6, which provides a cross-section view of the wearer's wrist 72. The wearer's wrist 72 is surrounded first by outer layer 54 of flexible fabric material 16, then by inner layer 52 of cut-resistant fabric material 14, and finally by left sleeve 30 of jersey fabric material 12.

In other embodiments, athletic jersey 10 may be worn without folding wrist cuff portion 50 underneath left sleeve 30. For example, when wrist cuff portion 50 includes innermost layer 58 comprising a flexible fabric material 16, a wearer may decide to either wear athletic jersey 10 with wrist cuff portion 50 extending from left right sleeve 30 or to fold wrist cuff portion 50 under left sleeve 30 as described above.

In other embodiments, athletic jersey 10 may have cut-resistant fabric material 14 in other portions of athletic jersey 10. For example, in some embodiments, athletic jersey 10 has cut-resistant fabric material 14 in the underarm area of athletic jersey 10 or in a neck area of athletic jersey 10. Cut-resistant fabric material 14 may be placed in any other portion of athletic jersey 10 that covers a vulnerable part of the wearer's body that is prone to come in contact with and be cut by a skate blade, for example. When athletic jersey 10 contains cut-resistant fabric material 14 in other portions of athletic jersey 10, a similar configuration of various layers of material is provided.

Although athletic jersey 10 has primarily been discussed, other embodiments of athletic gear or clothing may incorporate the features described herein. For example, the athletic clothing may comprise a sock 80, as shown in FIGS. 7-9. In some embodiments, sock 80 extends over the calf and shin of a wearer. Sock 80, in some embodiments, includes a back panel 82. According to some embodiments, back panel 82 includes a cut-resistant inner layer 84. Cut-resistant inner layer 84 protects the wearer's leg from cuts, scrapes, and other abrasive injuries. Some embodiments of athletic gear and clothing protect the wearer's neck from cuts. In some embodiments, this neck protection is part of athletic jersey 10, as mentioned above. In other embodiments, this neck protection is a separate piece of athletic gear that provides a cut-resistant material around the wearer's neck. Other athletic gear and clothing in other embodiments provide similar features.

As described in the above embodiments, athletic gear or clothing may provide athletes protection from cuts, scrapes, and other abrasive injuries. Further, it may provide comfort to the wearer. In some embodiments, the cut-resistant portion does not interfere with a team uniform. For example, when the cut-resistant wrist cuff portion 50 is folded into left sleeve 30, only jersey fabric material 12 that identifies a team for which the athlete competes is visible to spectators.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventors, and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.

The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An athletic jersey comprising:

a torso portion having a neck opening, a left arm opening, a right arm opening, and a lower body opening, wherein the torso portion comprises a jersey fabric material;

a left sleeve attached to the torso portion at the left arm opening, wherein the left sleeve comprises the jersey fabric material;

a right sleeve attached to the torso portion at the right arm opening, wherein the right sleeve comprises the jersey fabric material;

a left wrist cuff portion attached at an end of the left sleeve opposite the end attached to the torso portion; and

a right wrist cuff portion attached at an end of the right sleeve opposite the end attached to the torso portion;

wherein each of the wrist cuff portions comprises an inner layer comprising a cut-resistant fabric material, an outer layer comprising a flexible fabric material, and an elastic band configured to secure each of the wrist cuff portions to a wearer; and

wherein each of the wrist cuff portions is configured such that when the wearer is wearing the athletic jersey, the outer layer is in contact with the wearer's wrist.

2. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is an extension of an interior of the left and right sleeves.

3. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is an extension of an exterior of the left and right sleeves.

4. The athletic jersey of claim 1, each of the wrist cuff portions further comprising an innermost layer comprising the flexible fabric material.

5. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein the athletic jersey is a hockey jersey.

6. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein the cut-resistant fabric material comprises High Modulus Polyethylene (HMPE) fiber.

7. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein the flexible fabric material comprises a stretch knit fabric.

8. The athletic jersey of claim 1, each of the wrist cuff portions further comprising a finished seam.

9. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein the elastic band is located on an end of each of the wrist cuff portions that is attached to each of the sleeves.

10. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein the elastic band is located on an end of each of the wrist cuff portions that is opposite an end that is attached to each of the sleeves.

11. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein each of the wrist cuff portions comprises a hem.

12. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein each of the wrist cuff portions comprises a bendback hem with flatlock stitching.

13. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein each of the wrist cuff portions completely surrounds the wrist.

14. The athletic jersey of claim 1, wherein the torso portion, the left sleeve, and the right sleeve comprise a unitary garment.